James V. Blasi's letter raises many of the questions we have previously raised. The Jefferson Community School is Jefferson Parish's only charter school. For 14 years we have provided education for middle school students expelled from the public school system.

Our mission is simple: help these students successfully return to the public school system. We accept students throughout the school year, even well into May. Some students are with us several months. Many are with us only a few weeks. Tests scores cannot possibly tell the story of our school's value to the community. Our success is measured in the number of young people who embrace a second chance and turn their lives around.

For these students, test scores are only one of many obstacles they face. How is life change measured?